Privatisation of services riles Harare residents

Residents' associations have criticised the Harare City Council (HCC) for its growing reliance on privatisation of key municipal services, warning that the move threatens transparency and public accountability.

The privatisation push - covering waste management, water supply, parking and infrastructure development - comes amid long-standing concerns over poor service delivery, corruption, and political interference within the city's administration.

Combined Harare Residents Association (CHRA) director Reuben Akili accused the Local Government and Public Works ministry of meddling in local governance and promoting deals that benefit politically connected "tenderpreneurs."

"Local government is the closest to the people, and residents must be involved in decision-making, especially on issues that affect them," Akili said.
"The continued involvement of central government in council business is worrying. The privatisation agenda is being imposed from the top rather than driven by local priorities."

He added that such actions undermine devolution, which is enshrined in Chapter 14 of the Constitution, calling for greater autonomy for local authorities.

Harare Residents Trust (HRT) director Precious Shumba echoed similar concerns, saying the public-private partnerships (PPPs) being promoted by the city lacked transparency and accountability.

"These partnerships benefit the negotiators more than the council. Individuals facilitating the deals often earn commissions and use their influence to push approvals," Shumba said.
"Funds generated from these agreements are poorly accounted for - there is no transparency at all."

However, economist Tinotenda Bhunu said while privatisation could result in job losses as services are outsourced, it could also improve efficiency in the long term.

"Council may need a smaller but more skilled workforce focused on regulation and contract management rather than direct service provision," he said.
"This shift could strengthen accountability and service quality."

Offering a contrasting view, political analyst Rejoice Ngwenya supported the privatisation drive, arguing that private investment was key to restoring the capital's decaying infrastructure.

"The residents' associations are too conservative - they don't understand free market economics," Ngwenya said.
"It is better to have expensive water than no water at all. What matters is delivery, not who provides it. Strategic private partnerships are the only way forward."

In response, Harare mayor Jacob Mafume defended the council's approach, saying all PPPs were approved through full council meetings and subject to public scrutiny.

"Council is a public body - anyone can question or challenge our decisions," Mafume said.
"We enter into partnerships transparently, and all agreements are discussed in full council sessions."

The debate highlights the deep divide between residents' groups demanding public accountability and policymakers pushing for private sector-led solutions to Harare's chronic service delivery crisis.